Honoring 167 Years of Service to History at Baylor

Baylor's Department of History gathered to honor five longtime faculty members who retired between May 2020 and May 2022. Together, they taught in the department for a combined 167 years. Our honorees included:

• David Hendon - 43 years

• James SoRelle - 40 years

• Joan Supplee - 28 years

• George Gawrych - 18 years

• Eric Rust - 38 years

The department honored the faculty by hosting a retirement dinner at a colleague’s home this September. The retirees shared special memories from their time at Baylor and words of wisdom. Each was presented with a handmade platter designed by Paul McCoy, longtime professor in Baylor’s Department of Art & Art History, Baylor’s Ceramist-in-Residence, and owner of Quarter Rising Studios in Waco.

These five remarkable faculty members have certainly left their mark on our department and campus. Over their years at Baylor Dr. Hendon, Dr. SoRelle, Dr. Supplee, Dr. Gawrych, and Dr. Rust played many different roles: department chair, undergraduate program director, classroom innovator, area studies program director, advocates for social justice, a founder of BIC, BIC instructor, author, translator, invited speaker, conference organizer, professional organization officer, MOAS advisor, study abroad participant and trip creator & director, Teaching Award winner, book award winner, thesis director, Faculty Senators & officers in Faculty Senate, a Head of the Honor Council, student organization advisor, Phi Alpha Theta sponsor, advisor, mentor, and all around amazing people.

We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate The Five!